Food safety is a given, when a consumer purchases food they expect it to be safe and fit to eat. The responsibility for ensuring food is safe to eat rests with the farmer (sometimes called the primary producer), the manufacturer or processor (if the food is prepared in a factory), the distributor and wholesaler (the people responsible for transfering the food from the manufacturer to the shop or to the door in the case of direct sales or mail order), the retailer and the consumer themselves.

Researchers in the US have identified that compounds found in cranberries may have an action against E.coli. The research is now ongoing to identify how consumption of cranberry juice or cranberry products could be helpful for individuals. For more information follow the link.

Would it be possible to use the natural cranberry product as a feed additive for cattle fed distillers grain? See previous post. Maybe someone will undertake further research to see if it is necessary and if so, if it works?

The Food Standards Agency have issued a food alert for naan bread. Batches of own-brand naan bread have been recalled by Sainsbury's and Morrisons due to potential contamination with glass. Follow the link for more information.

Research from Kansas State University has suggested that feedlot cattle that have been fed distiller's grain have an increased incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in their hindgut. Distiller's grain is a by-product of the ethanol production process.

University of Nebraska- Lincoln researchers have also undertaken similar research and found no increase in prevalence of E.coli 0157:H7 in cattle fed distillers grain.

This is obviously work in progress and more research needs to be undertaken but it has proved an interesting debate on the web this week, especially as a number of the ethanol plants have been built close to feedlots in order to provide a "mutually beneficial"model of production.

About Me

Louise has a PhD in global food production and is a 2007 Nuffield Scholar. Her scholarship study was on global water policy and its impact on food production.
Louise has worked in the food supply chain for thirty years. Louise has written or edited five books and her research has been published in several peer reviewed journals. She also writes articles for trade and organisational publications.